Pages

Monday, April 13, 2015

Straightening Out Priorities

Oh my goodness - the time is just flying by - AGAIN! How did that happen and what happened to stopping and savouring the moment? The Easter break has been a whirlwind of activity. Things do seem to slow down a bit when the holidays end and we slip back into the routine of lessons. Today is that day :)

My mind has been a chaotic mess of thoughts and distractions of late - I don't do that very well! I need to have space to think and ponder, it's just the way I am. I'm feeling the need to simplify. Nothing drastic, but saying no when I need to say no, not over committing, being able to recognise what is important and what is frivolous.

Fortunately I came down with a wicked cold over the weekend (yes it is fortunate because it MAKES one slow down). I was able to take a bit of time and think through what it was that I wanted to simplify. It's not about making my own cleaning solutions for my home, or canning, stocking the freezer with lots of home baked goodies - those are lovely simple and time-honoured pursuits, but rather in my mind to SIMPLIFY means to realign my priorities. Those things that I say are the most important in my life.

So often we say we have our priorities straight but our daily actions and decisions are telling and often-times tell a different story.

So I had a little think like I said. Things that I have found a distraction lately:

Instagram - for like a whole 3 weeks. I thought I would give it a go and see what all the fuss was about. My conclusion? It's not for me. It's a bit like Facebook was for me, it made me feel awful! I hated that I felt drawn to spending time checking out what people were posting. I deleted my FB account in January and instantly felt a darkness lift from my life. Instagram is the same kind of thing. It got deleted!

Planner Bits and Bobs - Okay, so you know when you are wanting to revamp something and you do a bit of a google search and find and explosion of people obsessed with the very thing you were looking to revamp? It can be easy to get a little carried away with the mania! I've always been a planner. I love organisation and having all my ducks-in-a-row. My system seemed to have become a little blah! So I did a little Pinterest/google search to see how others planned. OH-MY-GOODNESS!!

The amount of blogs devoted to planners and decorating them, the You tube videos walking viewers through the planner setups, the amount of planners some people have to their name?! I cannot believe that people spend that much money to have various planners lining their shelves.

I loved the decorated pages and gave it a go for a bit - if I had oodles of time to spend decorating planner pages I so would do it. But really - in the greater scheme of life it's just not that important. My children do not go off to school for hours - I AM the school. I've settled for sticking a sticker or two and some pretty washi tape on my diary insert pages :)

Realigning My Priorities:

*God - my quiet times and prayer life. Time spent studying the Word and applying it into my life. Time spent discipling my children.

*Family - my husband and children deserve the very best I can give them and that means my time and attention.

* Homeschooling - even though we are in our high school years and there is allot more independent work going on, I need to guard this time so that the work can GET done and make sure that we still are creating precious memories - time is short!

*Home - running a home and making sure that it is a warm, clean, safe haven takes time and attention.

* Others - my extended family and friends are precious to me. I want them to know that they are special enough to warrant time spent with them, a card telling them that I think of them and that they are dear to my heart. Little things :)

Are you living your priorities? It's easy to let them slip. A little re-jig every-so-often is just what is needed!

I am struggling with this very thing right now following a crisis with my husband's health. Your post was one of two on this topic that showed up in my feed reader today. I'm taking it as a sign that I'm on the right track. Thank you for sharing!

I felt the same way about Facebook and have intentionally shunned other social media. I don't think they are bad in and of themselves, but they were certainly bad for me; I can relate to what you said.

I, too, long for simplicity and am always thinking and re-thinking how to get there. It's a journey, for sure!

I can absolutely relate. As a highly- sensitive person I cannot do FB as it makes me feel bad just thinking of it. I have deleted two IG accounts already, for the same reason. Too much for a highly- sensitive soul living a very simple life on Purpose and wanting to spend my time in a meaningful way. As for now I have started the third IG and on some days I just don't want to log in... yet I'm happy that you still are on it as I could find you! ;)

LOL - Monica it seems that we are kindred spirits on this one. I'm on my THIRD IG account too! I too am not a huge fan of FB - makes me feel bad too. I'm onto my 4th account there - only because my family live in South Africa and I seem to miss out on all the going on's in their lives. *sigh*. I do have a FB page for my blog which I actually prefer to my private account because I can interact with my readers and there is no pressure to catch up on anyone else's FB feed :) I have a real love/hate relationship with social media sites.

Hello, and welcome to my blog.

My name is Shirley Ann and I am so pleased that you have stopped by for a visit. You can find out all about me on my 'About' page but for now, why don't you grab a cup of your favourite beverage and let's chat for a while. If you wish to email me about something please contact me on blogunderanenglishsky@gmail.com